AMST 251 - American Art from Colonial Encounters to the Harlem Renaissance

1 unit(s)

(Same as ART 251) How can we encounter the histories of America in works of art? Why should we care about encountering them? This course explores such questions by surveying some of the most compelling paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, and decorative arts produced in the United States—from the first encounters between indigenous peoples of this land to New York City’s Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s. Whenever possible, course meetings are held at the Loeb Art Center, and an optional class trip to New York City art museums is organized. In these class lectures and discussions, our goal is to articulate together how works of art from the past shape and construct our sense of American history, and how art continues to matter today. Artists covered include John Singleton Copley, Thomas Cole, William Sydney Mount, Mato-tope (and other Mandan artists), David Drake, Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, and Jacob Lawrence, among many others.

Prerequisite(s): ART 105 or ART 106 or a 100-level American Studies course, or permission of the instructor.

Two 75-minute periods.

Not offered in 2023/24.

Course Format: CLS